Ministries
2011 Candidacy Retreat

Participation in this annual retreat is strongly recommended for all candidates for rostered ministry and for folks who are exploring the possibility of candidacy. The retreat provides keynote presentations on topics relevant to the journey of discernment, preparation and formation for rostered ministry, conversations with other people who are at various places in that journey, relaxed and informal time with members of the synod candidacy committee and synod staff, including the bishop, topical breakouts, worship, and a little time for hiking, snoozing, or writing those pesky Endorsement and Approval Essays.

tree scene
2011 Candidacy Retreat

August 5-6, 2011

Waycross Conference Center

Morgantown, IN
   

 

Who is invited?

Anyone from the I-K Synod who is trying to figure out whether they are called to public ("rostered") ministry in the ELCA or who is already moving down that road…and their spouses or fiancés, too.

Why should you participate?

This annual retreat is a great time to:

  • become personally acquainted with the synod's candidacy committee in a relaxed setting
  • make new acquaintances and renew old ones among the inquirers, applicants, and candidates of the synod
  • receive important and helpful information about the candidacy process and ask questions about that process
  • meet and get to know the bishop of the synod, Bill Gafkjen, Assistant to the Bishop Rudy Mueller, and Interim Director of Candidacy Pr. Stephen Wood, and Region 6 Coordinator, Marilyn Smith
  • worship together
  • explore various aspects of candidacy and ministry in the ELCA
  • participate in breakout sessions around important and interesting candidacy-related topics
  • get away from whatever routine usually shapes your days and into a beautiful, comfortable, relaxing setting for a bit

When is the retreat? The retreat will begin with registration at 1:30 and program at 2:30 (EDT) on Friday, August 5 and concludes after lunch on. Saturday, August 6.

Where is the retreat? Waycross Conference Center, near Morgantown, Indiana. This is in the northeast corner of Brown County, near the Lutheran Hills Camp, about 75 miles south of Indianapolis. Directions to the Conference Center are also available via this web site.

What does the retreat cost? Cost is $75 per person which includes one night of housing, program, end of the day refreshments, and three meals. Spouses are encouraged to participate.

  • Folks who would like to arrive Thursday evening in order to enjoy Brown County or neighboring Nashville or Bloomington Friday morning may reserve a room for Thursday night for an additional $75.00 per person ($70.00 before June 30).

  • An optional SPIRITUAL GIFTS WORKSHOP has been a part of our summer retreat for 5 years, and we offer it again in 2011. It’s based on an excellent new revision of the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory© called the ”Majors PT-Elements©”, developed by Dr. Mark Majors of the University of Florida-Gainesville.  Participants will take the online inventory beforehand, followed by a general presentation at the retreat, concluding with an individual confidential discussion of your personality type, and its implications for your sense of God’s calling in your future ministry.

  • A certified and experienced career/vocational counselor offers this workshop beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday, August 5 for candidates who have received a positive Entrance Decision from the I-K Candidacy Committee. Those whose Entrance Decisions will be considered at the August Candidacy Committee meeting should contact Pr. Stephen Wood about their potential eligibility. The cost for the workshop is $20. More information can be downloaded from the retreat registration home page (see below) or through the synod home page. Eligible candidates may register for this event while registering for the retreat.
  • To participate in either of these special opportunities, please check the appropriate boxes on your registration form and include the additional fees with your retreat registration fee.

Register online here. Those who register before June 30 will receive a $5.00 discount. Registration will close July 15.

All rooms are double occupancy only (two twin beds, in most cases). Please make note of preferred roommates on your registration form. Each room has private bath facilities and individually controlled heat and cooling. Linens are provided.

Dress for the retreat is casual.

Waycross has hiking trails on its 400 acres of woodlands.

The outdoor pool will not be available for our use.

Cell phones do not work at Waycross. There are a couple of pay phones available for outgoing calls; phone cards must be used on these phones for long distance calls. Emergency contact phone numbers at Waycross are 800-786-2267 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT) and 812-597-4241 (after hours).